wolverine
noun
wol·ver·ine
| \ ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn
\
\
plural wolverines
Definition of wolverine
1 plural also wolverine
a
: a carnivorous usually solitary mammal (Gulo gulo) of the weasel family of northern forests and associated tundra that is dark brown with a light brown band on each side of the body and is noted for its strength
b
: the fur of the wolverine
2
capitalized
: a native or resident of Michigan
—used as a nickname
Illustration of wolverine
wolverine 1a
Examples of wolverine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Before California’s population ballooned to roughly 40 million people, fur trapping played a significant role in the extirpation of wolves and wolverines and the severe declines of sea otters, fishers, martens, beavers and other fur-bearing species. — Los Angeles Times, "California becomes first state to ban fur trapping after Gov. Newsom signs law," 4 Sep. 2019 In the winter of 1919, the settlement of Anadyr, just below the Arctic circle, was a cluster of cabins: storehouses of fox, bear, and wolverine pelts; the offices of a few fur companies; and the imperial Russian administrator’s post. — Bathsheba Demuth, The New Yorker, "When the Soviet Union Freed the Arctic from Capitalist Slavery," 15 Aug. 2019 For animals like wolverines and monarch butterflies, this could be the beginning of the end. — Adam Aton, Science | AAAS, "New Trump rules would curb U.S. endangered species protections," 12 Aug. 2019 Examples include wolverines, alligators and ocelots. — Gary Singer, sun-sentinel.com, "Ask a real estate pro: Can my neighbor keep a pet chimpanzee at home?," 25 July 2019 Four European brown bears, five wolves, two Eurasian lynx and two wolverines will make their home at Bear Wood. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Wolves and Bears Are Being Returned to a Rare Patch of Ancient Woodland in Britain," 23 July 2019 Mark Ross, wearing the wolverine fur, is a naturalist at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks. — Anchorage Daily News, "A 60-mile walk under the midnight sun, with no stops for sleep," 22 June 2019 The wolverine can be heard vocalizing as the two scuffle. — Laurel Andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Watch a wolf and a wolverine fight over food in Denali National Park," 20 June 2018 The Canadian Rockies hold a huge number of carnivores—wolves, cougars, wolverine, lynx, coyote, marten, and smaller weasels. — Christopher Solomon, Outside Online, "Humans Are Turning Mammals More Nocturnal," 14 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wolverine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for wolverine
wolverine
noun
English Language Learners Definition of wolverine
US
: a strong animal with brown fur that lives in North America
See the full definition for wolverine in the English Language Learners Dictionary
wolverine
noun
wol·ver·ine
| \ ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn
\
\
Kids Definition of wolverine
: a mostly dark brown wild animal with shaggy fur that resembles a small bear but is related to the weasel, eats meat, and is found chiefly in the northern forests of North America
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